Water Works
Woodloch Springs Hope Floats Swim-A-Thon Offers A Chance To Feel Fit While Raising Money To Battle Cancer Via The BK Hope Cures Effort And the LIVESTRONG Foundation
By RICHARD A. ROSS
Scenes from the 2011 Hope Floats Swim-a-thon staged at Woodloch Spirngs to benefit BK Hope Cures/ LIVESTRONG in an effort to battle cancer. The Swim-a-thon raised over $9000 dollars. The 2012 Swim-a-thon begins on January 2 and hopefully even more people will turn out to swim laps and raise funds for the worthy cause while improving their health in the process.
HAWLEY, PA—When you get to do something that benefits your heath and simultaneously may save the life of another, that’s a resounding win-win endeavor.
And that is just what happens when people commit to swimming laps at the annual Woodloch Springs Hope Floats Swim-A-Thon which will take place at the Woodloch Springs Sports Complex beginning on January 2, 2012.
Last year the event raised over $9000.00 and this year figures to be even more successful, especially if the legion of readers now engrossed in this story will either join up to swim, sponsor a swimmer in the event or simply make a donation to the BK Foundation which is part of the President’s Circle of LIVESTRONG, the amazing foundation started by world renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong, a cancer survivor with a remarkable story.
Bob Kiesendahl started BK Cures after his recovery from an aggressive life-threatening form of leukemia. You can read more about his story by finding the link in the accompanying story.
BK are the initials of Bob Kiesendahl, a cancer survivor with his own unique story to tell.
“In 1998 I was diagnosed with CML, a form of leukemia. I was 28 years old, recently married, no previous medical issues, active, and on top of the world.
After my diagnosis and initial treatments at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center, my cancer began to move into an accelerated phase. I was hospitalized and struggled through some tough days with my family and friends by my side. It was determined at this time that I would need a bone-marrow transplant to survive.
My immediate family was tested with no luck. We then turned to the National Bone Marrow Registry. Fortunately, a “good” match who was willing to donate, was found within a few months.
Since I had to have an unrelated bone-marrow transplant & the PSHMC did not perform unrelated transplants at that time, my Oncologist, Dr. Ballard recommended the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. My mother, Joan and wife Jen, flew out to Seattle with me in April of 1999 as my caretakers.
I spent four months in Seattle with my mom and my wife by my side with frequent visits from my father, brothers & other family members and close friends. After weeks of treatments and the transplant I began a slow recovery.
It was during this time in Seattle that I began to focus on what I could do to help others affected by cancer & created our slogan, HOPE CURES These thoughts motivated me in my own personal battle – they empowered me and allowed me to focus on my future. I also realized that I have unique opportunities and resources through my family’s business that could greatly enhance my fundraising efforts & results.
The funds we have raised benefit cancer research and patient care in several worthy facilities including LIVESTRONG.”
Kiesendahl was a recent recipient of the LIVESTRONG Challenge Survivorship Award. BK Cures’ mission is to raise awareness and fight against cancer. You can read more of his story at http://www.fhcrc.org/patient/patient_stories/bob.html
So How Does It Work and Where Do You Fit In?
Last year's big winners: Stephen Lundgren swam 1,263 laps which equaled 52.1 miles. Robin Ditman raised the most money ($784.00).
Well first of all the event needs swimmers. Joining that effort last year was a no-brainer for me as I was already swimming a daily mile at the facility that I had been fortunate to discover the year before. More on my swimming endeavors and how Woodloch Springs Sports Complex fits into my life shortly.
Swimmers get sponsors who offer to donate whatever they can per lap to the BK Hope Cures Foundation and LIVESTRONG.
The Swim-a-thon is open to Sports Complex members as well as non-members from the local community. Swimmers will compete to swim the most laps into order to raise money for the charities. Non-members are eligible to partake in this effort by obtaining at least three sponsors at $0/10 cents per lap. This allows them free access to the pool facility for the entire month of January. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn money through a variety of 45-minute water aerobics classes. These are worth 22 laps or one-half mile.
This year, a team competition is being added to the Swim-a-thon. Teams of four will compete and the top three swimmer’s laps will count towards the total. Children ages 5-10 are also eligible to participate if they obtain one sponsor at $0.10 cents per lap for them.
Gift certificates to Woodloch Pines, Woodloch Sprints, The Boathouse and Woodloch Springs Sports Complex will also be awarded weekly to the most active participants. Additionally, prizes will be given to those raising the most money each week. Current Sports Complex members who earn more than $350 dollars for the cause will receive a $50 dollar credit to Woodloch; non-members who receive a free one-month membership, when they purchase a six-month or one-year Sports Complex membership. The two individual grand prize winners will receive a bed and breakfast package for two at Woodloch Pines. The two team competition winners will each get to choose between a day package for four at Woodloch Pines or a spa day at The Lodge at Woodloch.
The Swim-a-thon promotes Woodloch’s ongoing tradition of hospitality and togetherness by teaming people up to support an important cause. By allowing participants free pool access at the Sports Complex, individuals will also be working towards improving their overall health in a fun and encouraging environment.
Last year’s big winners in lap swimming were Steve Lundgren (52.9miles), Richard Ross (34.15 miles), Robin Ditman (32.1 miles), Maryanne Ford (28 miles) and Carolyn Giovacchini (21 miles). At the Sports Complex 88 laps equals one mile.
Robin Ditman was the leading fundraiser. She brought in $1,979.60. Leslie Rutkin raised $1,145.00, Carolyn Giovacchini brought in $1,010 and Richard Ross helped to amass $931.60. Many others participated and helped the cause as well.
Here’s the lowdown on this year’s weekly prizes:
Week 1: January 2-8 Winning team participants receive 4 Woodloch Thermal mugs
Week 2: January 9-15 Winning participants will receive 4-Woodloch Beach Towels
Week 3: January 16-22 Winning Team participants will receive 4 Woodloch Sweatshirt Blankets
Week 4: January 23-29 Winning Team participants will receive 4- $25 dollar Woodloch Gift Certificates for each participant.
As all of my Facebook friends are well aware, swimming is an important aspect of my life
I’ve been an avid swimmer since my toddler days. Attending a wonderful summer camp in Vermont from the age of eight until I was 18 afforded me the opportunity to swim in a crystal clear lake and earn awards every summer for my water heroics which included mile swims which began around age ten. I was the first camper to ever swim the length of the lake four times to reach that milestone.
In my adult years, my swimming became limited to summer excursions to the ocean. That was the case until 1995 when my dad passed away and left me some money which I decided to invest in an inground pool.
Swimming to stay fit was a pleasant replacement for my years of running that included two NYC Marathons. Running had taken its toll on my knees and I soon rediscovered the joys of low impact exercise as I took to the water with a fervor I hadn’t experienced since my late teens.
But still, living in Sullivan County meant a limited time span for swimming and so it was with great delight that I discovered the Sports Complex at Woodloch Springs. It’s a gorgeous pool and the people who work there are friendly, helpful and accommodating. Swimming year-round has contributed greatly to my health, vitality and verve. Kudos to the sports Complex staff headed up by Erika Collins and Vicki Lazaridis.
As followers of my sports coverage will attest, I am virtually tireless and energetic as I traverse the region to cover high school sports from August through June. But despite my busy schedule I find time to swim at least four or five days a week, sometimes more.
I urge you to join in this year’s Swim-a-thon or to donate to the cause. As for me, I plan to swim my usual mile-a-day probably five times a week during the swim-a-thon so any of my friends who wish to sponsor me can do so by e-mailing me at rross@sportsinsightsny.com. I’m not out to win it but I’ll be glad to be in it. Last year’s 34.1 miles was a bit over the top and my case of swimmer’s shoulder reminded me that while I’m fit, I’m not 20 anymore.
For further information visit: www.bkhopecures.com or contact the Sports Complex at (570) 685-8143
